Lake District planners give go-ahead to 1km-long zipwire at Honister

The zipwire will be built on the side of Honister Crag. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Planners in the Lake District have given the green light to a zipwire despite officers recommending the application be refused.

The national park authority’s development control committee voted seven to three in favour of the tourist attraction at Honister.

The applicants, Honister Slate Mine, said the 1km-long slide would be used for conveying slate when not in use by adrenaline-seeking visitors.

A previous application for a similar development at Honister, on the flanks of Fleetwith Pike, was turned down in 2011 and in March this year Treetop Trek withdrew its plans for twin zipwires across Thirlmere.

Conservation group the Friends of the Lake District said the development was inappropriate. The Wainwright Society, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Open Spaces Society and Natural England all objected to the plans, along with 124 members of the public.

Honister Slate Mine said the full 1,035m zipwire would be used by people who had climbed the existing via ferrata on Honister Crag. A shorter aerial slide, beginning lower down the fell, would be able to be used by people with disabilities.

A slate mine spokesman said he was over the moon with the decision.

Friends of the Lake District said: “We consider this to be a highly sensitive location and that this development will have a detrimental impact on the landscape character, tranquillity and biodiversity of the area.

“Both lines are intended to be used for the movement of stone and the shorter line is to be accessible for all including those who may not be able to access the full via ferrata.

“The applicant contends that the new uses outweigh the detrimental impacts of the proposal. While the two proposed new uses of the wire are commendable in terms of supporting the existing business use of the site and providing a new experience in the Lake District which is accessible for all, in our opinion, they do not outweigh the detrimental impacts of the scheme.”

The Friends said the zipwire was in conflict with the national park purposes; had potential impact on open access land; would affect tranquillity because of incongruous noise and movement, and would have an impact on the local road network.

The organisation said: “We feel that the application failed to provide sufficient information regarding the potential number of users, particularly on the additional shorter line.

“While the capacity of the ‘main’ line is limited by the numbers of people completing the via ferrata there will be no such restriction on the shorter line and it is likely to become a popular attraction in its own right.

“The application did not address this issue and we are now concerned that this development will intensify the tourism and recreation activity on the site and create additional noise and traffic impacts.

“We also have major concerns relating to the potential for adverse impacts on international biodiversity designations, concerns shared by Natural England in its response to this application.”

Joe Weir, co-owner of Honister Slate Mine said; “We are over the moon that the aerial flight has been approved, subject to conditions.

“It’s been a long process; we lodged the first proposal nearly a decade ago. I would like to commend the development control members as they clearly studied the proposal in depth and appreciated the benefits, not just for tourism but for industry and the wider community.

“We know what it means for the people who work here now, and I can only imagine how proud our ancestors would be. They’d have appreciated seeing new technology being used to bring slate out more efficiently, and most of all, that we are keeping the mine alive and providing additional year round employment.”

Mr Weir said the aerial flight will follow the path of old industrial workings which were in use until 1926 transporting slate along the side of Fleetwith Pike via an aerial wire.

“The modern version will have the dual purpose of outdoor adventure and industry, offering an adrenaline-fuelled descent for people climbing the via ferrata and providing a financially viable way to bring walling slate, piled up by previous generations of miners in the tunnels, down the mountain,” he said.

Jan Wilkinson, who was the partner of the late Mark Weir who began the revival of the mine and its tourist attraction and who is also a co-owner of Honister, said: “This is a big day for us. The aerial flight development is vital to the survival of Honister.

“It’s important because of what it represents, in the context of the Unesco world heritage site cultural landscape. It is deeply connected to the heritage of the mine, whilst also being innovative and forward looking.

“By supporting the two interconnected sides of our business, we can ensure there is a resilient business model that will stand the test of time.

“We have a role as guardians of this special landscape and I believe that by creating life-enhancing experiences for everyone to enjoy at any age, we are helping to develop a love and understanding of the special qualities of the national park we are privileged to call home.

“The combination of supporting tourism, education and industry to provide a long-lasting benefit for people living, working and visiting the Lake District is why we have battled for over a decade to get the aerial flight approved.”

Steven trevaskus

Dave Nunn

08 November 2018

Great news, if it’s well managed Like they do in the Alps it will be a great addition to the Lake District. Just need a full Ski lift somewhere now.

Jacob Mead

08 November 2018

Highly appropriate for this site with its eclectic mix of industrial archeology and wild fell. There is still plenty of traditional Lakeland for the purists. Good to diversify a little and cater for a broader outdoor enthusiast market (don't want them all heading off to the Welsh Zip wire)

I regret I am no longer able to support any of these narrow minded charities who oppose so many local initiatives.

Vested Interest Declared : Lakes Resident who loves the Fells

Fred Scuttle

08 November 2018

Great to hear. This should have been approved a long time ago. The area around Honister is every bit industrial, as many places in the Lakes used to be. I enjoy the contrast in the landscape when wandering around the fells and appreciate it all for what it is. Good call for once!

Sheepy

08 November 2018

I don't think the zip wire in this location is wrong as such, I buy that it is an industrial landscape, but I would be concerned with the knock-on effects.

It would be reasonable to presume that the volume of visitors will increase, which in turn may lead to further applications for additional wires going in different directions. Add to that then, an increase in traffic all the way down Borrowdale from Keswick or coming through Buttermere from Newlands, associated litter thrown out of windows and then the sounds of screams and shouts which will carry to other hills in the vicinity.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of such a development.

Andrew Crawford

08 November 2018

This is great news. I have been a long term supporter and visitor to the Lake district and I love the place, i fail to see how a zip wire could be anything but good for the area. More fun and more things to = more visitors and more revenue. Thank goodness for common sense!

Paul Wright

08 November 2018

A sad day for the Lake District. Honister pass is a very special place in its own right without introducing Blackpool type amusements. The grandure of the mountains and slate mining heritage makes it a magic place. Don't agree with detracting from this for the amusement of a few.

Jen K-White

08 November 2018

Give a fun incentive for users of the zip wire to make the descent without screaming, yelling or generally traumatizing the resident herdies. For example, a free go if you can survive the death defying drop without letting rip - successful zippers qualify for a badge denoting the wearer as possessing an indomitable spirit and nerves of steel... or a voucher to use in the shop. Just don't ask me to be a guinea pig!

Rod Hepplewhite

09 November 2018

Brilliant news! I echo the comments from Andrew Crawford, Fred Skuttle, Jacob Mead and Dave Nunn and I wholly endorse the comments attributed to Joe Weir and Jan Wilkinson. Sadly Mark Weir is no longer with us to see his original idea come to fruition. I also support the idea from Jen K-White :)

Vested Interest Declared: I'm a Lake District obsessive, travelling over from the North East on a regular basis for my fell-walking fix, with the North Western fells being my favourite area. I'm also fascinated by the mining and quarrying history and legacy found throughout the district and have on numerous occasions said out loud to my fell-walking buddies 'I wonder what this area was like when it was in full production'. Well, hopefully, I'm not going to have to wait too long to see first hand how slate was once transported down the face of Honister Crag.

Another vested interest declared: I've been on the original Honister via ferrata, shortly after it opened. Unless you know where and what you looking for it can hardly be seen from Honister Pass, the flanks of Dale Head or Littledale Edge. I expect that the zip wire will similarly blend into the background.

Simon Silvie

09 November 2018

Very sad. Turning the Lake District into an amusement park. It was bad enough when they gave brightly coloured and noisy mountain bikes free reign over every fell, valley and wood, and now this. Isn't the tranquility and majesty of the lake District enough? It wouldn't be half so bad if the users could be relied upon to not be emotionally incontinent and could complete the descent without squealing and shrieking like stuck pigs.

Jen K-White

09 November 2018

I do agree that the zip wire is unlikely to be visually intrusive and the opportunity to observe an aspect of mine operations would be an added bonus.

Brief diversion - sorry - but, regarding mountain bikers. I'd really like to know this: are mountain bikers allowed officially to ride on (churn up) footpaths through grazing land (eg; descent from High Doat down the fellside to link up with the Allerdale Ramble and the ascent from the Grange river path to Castle Crag)? On cycle routes (eg; Allerdale Ramble between Seatoller and Grange) are there any sanctions for churning up the verges where rocky sections prove too difficult to negotiate? The visual scars in both instances are likely to increasingly impact the scenic beauty in time. Don't rules regarding public footpath usage (for walkers) as stated on OS maps apply to the National Park? Off track roaders next...? This is a serious query, not just a gripe.

Andrew

10 November 2018

Hi Jen K-White

Contact the NPA and the rights of way officer..... thats the best way forward.

As to the Off roaders comment there are a lot of us that will NOT even go on a route that is becoming visually scarred!! Yet as a walker I often see folks avoiding the sticky mud and walking OFF the PATH to avoid it.... ALL groups types have a few Idiots that car nothing for the envoriment and treat it as there own... so please don't blame ALL those in every group or one group for idiots...

Now back too the Zip line.... Still against them myself BUT if it has to happen then this is a very good location for one... My concern will be the traffic it generates to already busy roads in peak season....

PS... Byways and ORPA's often get closed to 4x4s yet never for other groups... SO may be it should happen for all for the GOOD of mother natures beauty?

Jen K-White

10 November 2018

Andrew, I agree with everything you say - and thanks for the advice. Off roaders, quads and trail bikes are a difficult issue in our area as they make stretches of historic Roman Road green lane impassable in winter for walkers and even a challenge for horse-riders.

O;dManOfTheHills

11 November 2018

The only point of a national park is for us people to visit and play in: its not a museum. If some want a zip wire it wont harm my enjoyment of the hills at all and might help generate income in an economically restricted area. Whats more its actually being set up an industrial site not open fell.

SH

12 November 2018

My main concern will be traffic on the narrow Borrowdale roads more than anything. I understand this is one of the better areas for a zip wire and it probably was passed on the basis of the mix with the industrial heritage and in comparison to the out of proportion Thirlmere suggestion. Hope it doesn't lead to more outlandish suggestions that would ultimately damage more than help in the long-term, but that's probably being overly negative! In one sense would have preferred to see it in West Cumbria or somewhere that desperately needs tourism and investment. By the way I don't agree that those who opposed this should be stigmatised any more than those who would support / use this. Not helpful.

Add your opinion...

Some comments are automatically held for review before publication

CommentNameE-mail address

Sorry, to post comments on this site you need to have support for JavaScript enabled in your browser.